The Balloon Glow: Giant Lanterns After Dark

Not all the Fiesta's magic happens in flight. On select evenings, balloons stay tethered to the ground and fire their burners in unison after dark, transforming the field into a vast forest of glowing lanterns. The Balloon Glow is quieter than the ascensions — and for many, even more beautiful.

Grounded, but glowing

With the balloons anchored, the show is all about light. Pilots coordinate their burns, and on a announcer's cue the whole field illuminates at once, each envelope glowing from within like an enormous paper lantern.

A field of grounded balloons glowing in the dark is the Fiesta's gentlest miracle.

Up close with the crews

Because nothing is flying, you can walk right up to the balloons and talk to the crews between burns. It's the most relaxed, sociable session of the Fiesta, and wonderful for photography.

Finish with fireworks

Many glow evenings end with a fireworks display over the field, the bursts echoing the glowing envelopes below. It's a fitting, dazzling cap to a day that began in the pre-dawn cold.

Field notes

• Glows happen on select evenings — check the schedule.
• You can walk right up to the tethered balloons.
• Many glow nights end with fireworks — stay to the end.

As the burners fall silent and the field goes dark, the crowd drifts home glowing a little themselves. The Balloon Glow proves that sometimes the most magical thing a balloon can do is simply stay put and shine.